Djokovic beaten by a Croatian qualifier 18 years younger than him at the Italian Open
- On Friday, 38-year-old Novak Djokovic suffered a second-round defeat at the Italian Open, falling to 20-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.
- The six-time Rome champion returned from a two-month layoff due to a right shoulder injury, marking his first competitive match since Indian Wells in March.
- In two hours and 15 minutes, Prizmic secured the biggest win of his career, later telling reporters, "He's my idol."
- Reflecting on his physical struggles, Djokovic admitted, "Obviously I see what I'm missing," acknowledging he is not yet at the level required to compete at the highest level.
- This defeat leaves the Serbian short of match fitness ahead of the French Open, which begins May 24, having played only one clay-court match this year.
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79 Articles
Djokovic falls to early Italian Open exit
Novak Djokovic slumped to an early elimination from the Italian Open on Friday, crumbling to a second-round defeat at the hands of qualifier Dino Prizmic which leaves question marks about his physical condition ahead of Roland Garros. Tennis icon Djokovic was sent packing by big-hitting Croatian Prizmic, who claimed the biggest scalp of his young career with a stunning 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 win on centre court in Rome. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam win…
Italian Open 2026: Novak Djokovic Stunned by Qualifier Dario Prizmic in Second Round Thriller | 🎾 LatestLY
It is the first time Djokovic has lost in his opening match in the Italian capital (18-1). Prizmic has now earned two Top 10 wins, having beaten Ben Shelton en route to the third round at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid last month. 🎾 Italian Open 2026: Novak Djokovic Stunned by Qualifier Dario Prizmic in Second Round Thriller.
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The Serbian tennis player recovered from a right shoulder injury that forced him to leave three tournaments.
Convincing performance of the three blues. Today Sinner and Cobolli debut at the Foro Italico after the training show. Nole's performance: "The time passes, I have to accept it." In the female field only Cocciaretto advances
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